Midland Man’s Memory Honored Through Habitat for Humanity

Midland Man’s Memory Honored Through Habitat for Humanity

The memory of a Midland oil man is being honored after he lost his battle to cancer. This week his former company is helping build three new homes as part of Midland Habitat for Humanity.

On Tuesday, building a home as part of Habitat for Humanity went beyond helping someone in need.

Three built were to honor the memory of Midland oil man Mark Merritt, who was also a Habitat for Humanity board member. He was a father, a husband and an active volunteer.

“To know that people are remembering their daddy and my husband means a whole lot to us,” said his late wife, Kay Marritt.

Mark Merritt lost his battle to cancer last June, and now his former company Fasken Oil & Ranch raised enough money to build three Habitat for Humanity houses.

“He's been on the habitat side several times to build other houses here in town so for us to get to be here today is really neat,” Kay Marritt said.

Mark Merritt worked for the company for 25 years and now almost 20 company employees came out to volunteer ion his honor.

“It's pretty cool, there aren't really any words to describe that feeling but we are humbled,” Kay Marritt said. “He would be embarrassed.”

The homes being built will be three bedroom, two bathroom and only available for people in need.

But future homeowners have to put in 350 hours of volunteer work prior to receiving the home.

“They learn how to keep up their house how to take care of it how to appreciate it and by the time they finish the 350 hours believe me, they have rough hands,” said Tony Valles, superintendent at Midland Habitat for Humanity.

Work that Valles says it all worth it in the end.

“When they get their house you see the uplifting and that's fulfilment for me,” Valles said.

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